Contraception And Abortion From The Ancient Wor... May 2026

Egyptian women used pessaries made of crocodile dung, honey, or lint. The acidity likely acted as a mild spermicide.

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In the absence of a social safety net, family size was strictly managed to prevent poverty. Egyptian women used pessaries made of crocodile dung,

Under the Roman Empire, late-term abortion was sometimes penalized—not as murder, but as a "fraud" against the husband who was being deprived of an heir. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional

The most famous contraceptive of antiquity. A giant fennel from Cyrene so effective and popular it was harvested to extinction by the 1st century CE.

Potent herbs like pennyroyal, rue, and Queen Anne’s Lace were used to induce contractions.

Mentioned in Roman and Greek texts, though highly dangerous due to the risk of infection and hemorrhage. Cultural Views